U.S. patent application number 15/776858 was filed with the patent office on 2018-11-15 for container.
The applicant listed for this patent is Nerudia Limited. Invention is credited to David Jones, Christopher Lord, Alfred Madden, Kenneth Scott, Thomas Sudlow.
Application Number | 20180325175 15/776858 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 55132927 |
Filed Date | 2018-11-15 |
United States Patent
Application |
20180325175 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Sudlow; Thomas ; et
al. |
November 15, 2018 |
Container
Abstract
The present invention relates to a container operative with a
dispenser comprising a dispense conduit, the container comprising:
a storage cavity for storing contents dispensed to the container
from the dispenser; and an interface formation configured to
receive the dispense conduit of the dispenser to open a conduit
between the storage cavity and a reservoir of the dispenser to
permit transfer of reservoir contents from the reservoir of the
dispenser to the storage cavity; and wherein the interface
formation comprises a rupturable, self-sealing membrane.
Inventors: |
Sudlow; Thomas; (Liverpool,
GB) ; Lord; Christopher; (Liverpool, GB) ;
Madden; Alfred; (Liverpool, GB) ; Jones; David;
(Liverpool, GB) ; Scott; Kenneth; (Liverpool,
GB) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nerudia Limited |
Liverpool |
|
GB |
|
|
Family ID: |
55132927 |
Appl. No.: |
15/776858 |
Filed: |
November 17, 2016 |
PCT Filed: |
November 17, 2016 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/GB2016/053592 |
371 Date: |
May 17, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 2209/045 20130101;
B05B 11/0097 20130101; B67D 7/0288 20130101; B67D 7/42 20130101;
A24F 47/008 20130101; A61M 11/042 20140204; B67D 7/0205 20130101;
B65B 31/003 20130101; A24F 47/002 20130101; A24F 47/004 20130101;
A61M 15/06 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A24F 47/00 20060101
A24F047/00; A61M 15/06 20060101 A61M015/06; A61M 11/04 20060101
A61M011/04; B67D 7/02 20060101 B67D007/02; B67D 7/42 20060101
B67D007/42; B05B 11/00 20060101 B05B011/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 17, 2015 |
GB |
1520271.6 |
Aug 4, 2016 |
GB |
1613460.3 |
Nov 16, 2016 |
GB |
1619395.5 |
Claims
1. A container operative with a dispenser comprising a dispense
conduit, the container comprising: a storage cavity for storing
contents dispensed to the container from the dispenser; and an
interface formation configured to receive the dispense conduit of
the dispenser to open a conduit between the storage cavity and a
reservoir of the dispenser to permit transfer of reservoir contents
from the reservoir of the dispenser to the storage cavity; and
wherein the interface formation comprises a rupturable,
self-sealing membrane.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the interface
formation is disposed in an interface section of the container
configured to fit to an open ended tube of the dispenser in order
for the dispense conduit to engage with the interface
formation.
3. The container according to claim 2, wherein the interface
section is configured to be insertable into the open ended tube of
the dispenser.
4. The container according to claim 2, wherein the interface
section is configured to form a transition fit with the open ended
tube.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the interface
section comprises an abutment surface configured to contact a
complementary abutment surface of the dispenser.
6. The container according to to claim 1, configured as a container
for a nicotine vapour precursor liquid for a smoking substitute
device.
7. A The container according to claim 6, wherein the container is
configured as a cartomiser.
8. A The container according to claim 6, wherein the interface
section is configured as a mouthpiece for a smoking substitute
device.
9. (canceled)
Description
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a container, in particular
a container for storing liquid and particularly, but not
exclusively to a container configured to be refilled from a
dispenser.
BACKGROUND
[0002] A smoking-substitute device is an electronic device that
permits the user to simulate the act of smoking by producing an
aerosol mist or vapour that is drawn into the lungs through the
mouth and then exhaled. The inhaled aerosol mist or vapour
typically bears nicotine and/or other flavourings without the odour
and health risks associated with traditional smoking and tobacco
products. In use, the user experiences a similar satisfaction and
physical sensation to those experienced from a traditional smoking
or tobacco product, and exhales an aerosol mist or vapour of
similar appearance to the smoke exhaled when using such traditional
smoking or tobacco products.
[0003] A smoking-substitute device generally uses heat and/or
ultrasonic agitation to vaporize a solution comprising nicotine
and/or other flavouring, propylene glycol and/or glycerine-based
base into an aerosol mist of vapour for inhalation. A person of
ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term
"smoking-substitute device" as used herein includes, but is not
limited to, electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS), electronic
cigarettes, e-cigarettes, e-cigs, vaping cigarettes, pipes, cigars,
cigarillos, vaporizers and devices of a similar nature that
function to produce an aerosol mist or vapour that is inhaled by a
user. Some electronic cigarettes are disposable; others are
reusable, with replaceable and refillable parts.
[0004] Smoking-substitute devices typically resemble a traditional
cigarette and are cylindrical in form with a mouthpiece at one end
through which the user can draw the aerosol mist or vapour for
inhalation, These devices usually share several common components:
a power source such as a battery, a reservoir for holding the
liquid to be vaporized, a vaporization component for atomizing
and/or vaporizing the liquid and to thereby produce an aerosol mist
and/or vapour, and control circuitry operable to actuate the
vaporization component responsive to an actuation signal from a
switch operative by a user or configured to detect when the user
draws air through the mouthpiece by sucking or inhaling.
[0005] The reservoir may be either a replaceable or refillable
container that is coupled to, or located in, the main body of the
smoking-substitute device and that is typically made of a resilient
plastic material such as high-density polypropylene. The reservoir
generally contains a wicking material in which the liquid is stored
but may just be a storage space without any wicking material. Once
the replaceable or refillable reservoir is emptied it must either
be replaced or refilled.
[0006] Replaceable type reservoirs are typically provided in the
form of a pre-filled cartridge that can be. securely and removably
engaged to, or within, the cylindrical main body of the
smoking-substitute device. These reservoir and vaporization
elements may also be integrated into a single component commonly
known as a "cartomizer" that may be disposable or refillable.
Additionally, replaceable type reservoirs may also be integrally
formed with the mouthpiece.
[0007] In order to fit a replaceable type reservoir to, or within,
the main body of a smoking- substitute device, features of the main
body are configured to engage with complementary features formed on
a portion of the reservoir to securely and removably couple the
reservoir to the main body of the smoking substitute device and to
thereby prevent the accidental or unintended separation of the
reservoir from the smoking-substitute device. These complementary
features typically secure the reservoir to the main body of the
smoking- substitute device with a close or interference fit and the
fitting step causes a portion of the reservoir to pierce the
reservoir to permit liquid to be dispensed.
[0008] Alternatively, and most commonly, users utilise refillable
type reservoirs. Typically, the refillable reservoir of the
smoking-substitute device is refilled by dispensing liquid from a
dispenser that commonly resembles the small dropper bottles used
for dispensing eye drops. Refill dispensers are preferred
principally for their low cost,
[0009] The ingredients of the liquid for producing the aerosol mist
or vapour in smoking-substitute devices vary widely, but typically
include water and flavourings in a propylene glycol and/or glycerol
base. Nicotine may also be included in solutions intended to fulfil
a nicotine replacement role, without the harmful products
associated with tobacco smoke.
[0010] A person of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that
the term "liquid" as used herein, may include, but is not limited
to, any liquids, gels, powders and gases together with liquids
comprising mixtures of liquids, gels, powders and gases that are
capable of being atomized or vapourized whether or not using heat
and/or ultrasonics. Additionally, the term "liquid" as used herein
may also include, but is not limited to, powders capable of being
entrained in a fluid flow, for example an airflow.
[0011] Both pre-filled reservoirs of the replaceable type and
refillable type reservoirs can be prone to leakage of liquid
contents via a conduit by which these reservoirs are filled. It
will be appreciated that this is undesirable, given the potential
ingredients that these reservoirs can hold.
[0012] Aspects and embodiments of the invention were devised with
the foregoing in mind.
SUMMARY
[0013] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a container operative with a dispenser comprising a
dispense conduit, the container comprising:
[0014] a storage cavity for storing contents dispensed to the
container from the dispenser;
[0015] an interface formation configured to receive the dispense
conduit of the dispenser to open a conduit between the storage
cavity and a reservoir of the dispenser to permit transfer of
reservoir contents from the reservoir of the dispenser to the
storage cavity; and wherein the interface formation comprises a
rupturable, self-sealing membrane.
[0016] A rupturable, self-sealing membrane may be particularly
suited to use with a dispenser having a sharp dispense conduit.
This may obviate the need to provide a cap over a ruptured membrane
to avoid leakage from the container due to the ruptured membrane
"self-sealing" when a filling operation is complete. The
rupturable, self-sealing membrane may comprise a suitable
self-sealing material, such as, for example, silicone. In
particular, the membrane may be made entirely of silicone.
[0017] The interface formation of the container comprises an
arrangement that is complementary to the dispense conduit such that
contents can he delivered to the storage cavity of the container
from the dispenser. This may reduce the likelihood of spillage
and/or contamination of the reservoir contents during transfer from
the dispense conduit to the container to be filled. In a particular
embodiment, the container is penetrable by the dispense conduit of
the dispenser to deliver reservoir contents into the container.
Penetration into the container to be filled further reduces the
likelihood of spillage and contamination of the reservoir contents
as they are transferred to the container. Penetration of the
dispense conduit into the container provides for delivery of the
reservoir contents from the dispense conduit into the container
storage cavity thereby avoiding spillage of the reservoir contents
during filling.
[0018] Suitably, the interface formation is disposed in an
interface section of the container configured to fit to the open
ended tube in order for the dispense conduit to engage with the
interface formation.
[0019] The interface section is configured to be insertable into an
open ended tube of a dispenser and in particular is configured to
form a transition fit with the open ended tube. A transition fit
assists in controllably guiding the interface section into the open
ended tube such that it may interface with the dispense
conduit.
[0020] In one or more embodiments, the interface section comprises
an abutment surface configured to contact a complementary abutment
surface of the dispenser. Thus, the container may be contacted by a
user in order to actuate the dispenser thereby decreasing the
likelihood of a user coming into contact with the dispense conduit
due to the intermediary provided by the interface section.
[0021] The interface section may comprise formations complementary
to formations in the dispenser for providing positive engagement
therewith in order to inhibit inadvertent separation of the
container from the dispenser during operation.
[0022] The interface section typically comprises a hollow member at
one end of which is the interface formation such that in use a
dispense conduit can enter into the hollow member to reach the
interface formation.
[0023] Suitably, the container may be configured as a container for
a nicotine vapour precursor liquid for a smoking substitute device,
for example configured as a cartomiser. In embodiments in which the
container is configured for a smoking substitute device such as a
cartomiser, it is particularly convenient for the interface section
to be configured as a mouthpiece. However, the interface section
may be configured as a mouthpiece for use with containers other
than for smoking substitute devices.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0024] One or more embodiments in accordance with aspects of the
present invention will be described, by way of example only, and
with reference to the following drawings in which:
[0025] FIG. 1 is a side view illustration of a dispenser in an
illustrative example of subject matter related to the present
invention;
[0026] FIG. 2 is a perspective side view illustration of the
dispenser of FIG. 1 showing the cap removed;
[0027] FIG. 3 is an exploded side view illustration of the
dispenser of FIGS. 1 and 2;
[0028] FIG. 4 is an exploded view illustration of a pump device for
use in the dispenser in an illustrative example of subject matter
related to the present invention;
[0029] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustration of the pump device
illustrated in FIG. 4;
[0030] FIG. 6 is a cross-section side view illustration of the pump
device illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5;
[0031] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the
dispenser as viewed along line A-A of FIG. 1;
[0032] FIG. 8 is a perspective side view illustration of the
dispenser and a container according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 9 is a perspective side view illustration of the
dispenser with the container according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention located therein;
[0034] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the
dispenser during a filling process of the container according to
one or more embodiments of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional side view illustration of the
dispenser comprising an additional safety cap;
[0036] FIGS. 12a and 12b are cross-sectional side view
illustrations of the dispenser of FIG. 11 during a process for
removing the additional safety cap;
[0037] FIGS. 13a to 13h are cross-sectional side view illustrations
of the dispenser during a process for removal of a safety cap, the
additional safety cap and a filling process; and
[0038] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view illustration of a
container according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention operative with the dispenser for filling the
container.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0039] FIG. 1 shows a dispenser 10 for dispensing a liquid. The
dispenser 10 can be used to fill or re-fill containers, such as,
for example, cartomisers for c-cigarette devices.
[0040] The dispenser 10 comprises an elongate, hollow, cylindrical
housing 12, which is closed at a first end and open at a second,
opposite end, and a cap 14 for closing off the second, open
end.
[0041] FIG. 2 shows the dispenser 10 with the cap 14 removed from
the housing 12 to expose an aperture 16. Aperture 16, located at
the second, open end of housing 12, is configured for receiving a
container to be filled and forms an open end of open ended tube 18.
The open ended tube 18 is disposed within the housing 12.
[0042] When the cap 14 is removed, an end of a container to be
filled can be inserted into the open ended tube 18 of the dispenser
10 via the aperture 16.
[0043] FIG. 3 illustrates, in exploded form, the elements of
dispenser 10, i.e. housing 12, which is formed of a reservoir
portion 12a and a dispense conduit housing portion 12b, cap 14 and
a pump device 20.
[0044] The pump device 20 comprises an intake conduit 22 in fluid
communication with a pump arrangement 24. Pump arrangement 24 is
configured for location at, adjacent, or about a first end of the
reservoir portion 12a and is in fluid communication with a dispense
conduit 26.
[0045] Intake conduit 22 (also known as a "dip tube") extends from
the pump arrangement 24 so that, when the pump device 20 is located
within housing 12, the intake conduit 22 extends to a second end of
the reservoir portion 12a distal the first end. The intake conduit
22 is configured for communicating contents in the reservoir
portion 12a from the second end thereof to pump arrangement 24.
[0046] The intake conduit 22 comprises a notch across its walls
(not shown in FIG. 2, but see feature 32 in FIGS. 7 and 10) to ease
suction of liquid from the second end of the reservoir portion
12a.
[0047] Dispense conduit 26, such as, for example, a dispense tip,
extends from the pump arrangement 24 and comprises a dispense
aperture (not shown) at an end thereof. The dispense aperture is in
fluid communication with the pump arrangement 24.
[0048] When pump device 20 is located within housing 12, the open
ended tube (not shown in FIG. 3) extends in a direction away from
the pump arrangement 24 and is configured to surround the dispense
conduit 26. The open ended tube extends to a position such that the
open end thereof is at least coterminous with the dispense aperture
end ("tip") of the dispense conduit 26 and actuation of the pump
arrangement 24 causes transfer of reservoir contents from the
reservoir portion 12a to the dispense aperture end of the dispense
conduit 26.
[0049] The pump arrangement 24 comprises valve seat element 2400, a
hollow cylindrical member 2410, an operating rod 2440, a body
portion 2450 and a pump actuator 2460. The pump actuator 2460 is in
fluid communication with body portion 2450 by way of operating rod
2440, and valve seat element 2400 is in fluid communication with
body portion 2450 by way of hollow cylindrical member 2410. The
valve seat element 2400 is in fluid communication with intake
conduit 22 and the pump actuator 2460 is in fluid communication
with the dispense conduit 26. Thus, a fluid passage is provided
through the pump arrangement to provide a fluid passage from a
remote end of the intake conduit 22, via the pump arrangement, to a
remote end of the dispense conduit 26.
[0050] Referring now to FIGS. 4 to 6, a pump device 20 suitable for
use in a dispenser according to an illustrative example of subject
matter related to the present invention is shown. It will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that the pump device 20
illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 6 is merely one example of many suitable
types of pump device that could be employed in the dispenser.
[0051] Pump device 20 comprises intake conduit 22 coupled to valve
seat element 2400, which is coupled to hollow cylindrical member
2410. The pump device further comprises an upper valve 2420, a
piston member 2430, operating rod 2440, a body portion 2450, and a
pump actuator 2460. Cylindrical member 2410 has mounted thereunder
the valve seat element 2400 and the intake conduit 22 to be placed
in reservoir portion 12a of dispenser 10 and includes a reservoir
chamber 2412, a top engaging portion 2414, an annular flange 2416
positioning thereon body portion 2420 to be seated against seat
portion 12c, which is a flange disposed around the interior of
reservoir portion 12a at said first end thereof. A lower portion of
the cylindrical member 2410 is configured for coupling to said
valve seat clement 2400 in which is located a ball 2418
[0052] Upper valve 2420 includes a body portion 2422 having a
bottom positioning ring 2422c and two top concentric annular
grooves 2422a, 2422b of triangular cross-section, an upper engaging
medium 2424 having three upward rectangular wings 2424a
respectively having three top inner triangular indentations 2424b
to facilitate passing the liquid from three passages 2424c defined
by wings 2424a to operating rod 2440, and a downward engaging rod
2426 having a bottom end 2426a split into three fingers 2426b. A
compression spring 2428 is positioned in cylindrical member 2410
and mounted between positioning ring 2422c and valve seat element
2400.
[0053] Piston 2430 includes a through hole 2432, two concentric
bottom annular teeth 2434, 2436 respectively engageable with
grooves 2422a, 2422b, a top inner annular indentation 2438 and a
top outer annular indentation 2439 and is sleeved in cylindrical
member 2410 to be movable along the inner wall thereof.
[0054] Operating rod 2440 is hollow and includes a top end 2441, a
bottom end having a bottom annular projection 2442 engageable in
inner indentation 2438 when operating rod 2440 is pressed downward,
and a through hole which includes a shoulder surface 2444 defining
thereabove an upper hole 2446 and thereunder a lower hole 2448
receiving therein the upper portion of upper engaging medium 2424
bearing against shoulder surface 2444.
[0055] Body portion 2450 includes a through hole 2452, an annular
engaging piece 2454 of inverted L-shaped cross-section securely,
but moveably receiving therein operating rod 2440, and an engaging
top 2456 fixed to top engaging portion 2414.
[0056] In operation, as shown in FIG. 10, when pump actuator 2460
and operating rod 2440 are pressed downward, operating rod 2440
will disengage upper valve 2420 from piston member 2430 to thus
connect reservoir chamber 2412 with lower hole 2448 before bottom
annular projection 2442 matches with inner indentation 2438. If
pump actuator 2460 and operating rod 2440 are further pressed
downward, piston 2430 will be moved downward accordingly and thus
the air/or liquid in reservoir chamber 2412 will pass through
passages 2424c, hole 2446, pump actuator 2460 and dispense conduit
26 to be discharged (denoted by the arrows in the figure). After
pump actuator 2460 and operating rod 2440 reach their lowest
positions and are released, compression spring 2428 will again
match annular teeth 2434, 2436 against annular grooves 2422a, 2422b
respectively and displace upward piston 2430 to thus form a vacuum
in reservoir chamber 2412 to in turn allow ball 2418 to leave a
valve seat in valve seat element 2400 to suck from intake conduit
22 the liquid in the reservoir portion 12a into reservoir chamber
2412. If pump actuator 2460 and operating rod 2440 are pressed
downward again, the liquid in reservoir chamber 2412 will be
communicated through the conduit through pump actuator 2460 and
discharged through dispense conduit 26.
[0057] The assembled dispenser 10 can be seen in cross section view
in both FIGS. 7 and 10, both of which illustrates the dispenser 10
as viewed in cross section along line A-A of FIG. 1,
[0058] FIG. 7 illustrates the dispenser 10 in a non-use state and
FIG. 10 (as described above) illustrates the dispenser during a
stage of operation.
[0059] As can be seen in FIG. 10, dispense conduit 26 extends
through an aperture in the container 28 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention and into a reservoir of the
container 28.
[0060] FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 2 in that it shows the dispenser
10 with the cap 14 removed from the housing 12 to expose aperture
16. In this figure, a container 28 according to one or more
embodiments of the present invention is located adjacent aperture
and is disposed for insertion into aperture 16 to extend into open
ended tube 18.
[0061] FIG. 9 shows the container 28 with a portion thereof located
within dispenser 10.
[0062] The container 28 can be filled with liquid contained in the
reservoir portion 12a of housing 12 by exerting a force (in the
direction denoted by arrow X in the figure) on the exposed end of
the container 28 to urge container 28 from a rest position into the
dispenser 10. This action causes an end of the container 28 within
the dispenser to abut an end of the pump arrangement (not shown in
FIG. 9, but see feature 30 in FIG. 10). Continued depression of the
container 28 relative to the dispenser 10 against the action of
compression spring within the pump arrangement causes actuation of
the pump arrangement until the pump actuator is in a fully
depressed position. Actuation of the pump arrangement causes liquid
to be communicated via the dispense conduit (not shown), which
extends through an aperture of the container 28 into a reservoir
thereof, to deliver liquid to the reservoir of the container
28.
[0063] Upon release of the depressing force, the compression spring
within the pump arrangement urges the container 28 from the fully
depressed position towards the rest position (i.e, in the direction
denoted by arrow Y in the figure).
[0064] The container 28 can be moved through a number of depression
and release cycles in order to fill the container. However, the
pump device 20 optionally may be such that the container can be
filled by way of a single depression and release cycle. The pump
arrangement dimensions may be such that each depression and release
cycle delivers a measured dose of contents such as a medicament in
order to avoid inadvertent over medication by a user.
[0065] In a further illustrative example of subject matter related
to the present invention, as illustrated in FIG. 11, the dispenser
10 comprises, in addition to cap 14, a plug 34 for closing off the
second, open end of the dispenser. Plug 34 is configured to be
located in open ended tube 18 for closing off aperture 16. The plug
34 comprises features configured to engage with complementary
features formed on an internal wall of the open ended tube 18 at,
or adjacent, aperture 16 to securely and removably locate the plug
34 within the open ended tube 18 and to thereby prevent the
accidental or unintended separation of the plug 34 from the open
ended tube 18. These complementary features typically secure the
plug 34 within the open ended tube 18 (i.e. to the internal wall of
the open ended tube 18) with a close, or interference, or push
fit.
[0066] The plug 34 comprises a disc-shaped element, which includes
an annular recess 36 in a top surface thereof. The annular recess
36 surrounds a shaft 38 in which is provided an engagement
formation (e.g. a helically threaded bore 40 as illustrated in FIG.
11) configured to receive a complementary engagement formation of a
removal device.
[0067] The plug 34 provides an additional feature (i.e. additional
to cap 14) for inhibiting inadvertent contact with the dispense
conduit 26.
[0068] In the illustrated example of FIG. 11, an end of a container
according to one or more embodiments of the present invention can
be inserted into the open ended tube 18 of the dispenser 10 via the
aperture 16 only when both the cap 14 has been removed and the plug
34 has been removed.
[0069] An example of a procedure for removal of the plug 34 from
the open ended tube 18 is illustrated in FIGS. 12a and 12b and is
described below.
[0070] FIGS. 12a and 12b illustrate an expanded view of the
aperture-end of the dispenser 10 and also illustrate a removal
device (i.e. a container according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention). In the illustrated examples of FIGS. 12a
and 12b, the container 28 according to one or more embodiments of
the present invention comprises a cartomiser for an e-cigarette
device.
[0071] Container (cartomiser) 28 comprises, at a non-mouthpiece end
thereof, an engagement formation, which conventionally is for
securely and removably coupling the container (cartomiser) 28 to a
complementary engagement formation of a battery unit of an
e-cigarette device. In the illustrated example, engagement
formation comprises a helically threaded shaft 42.
[0072] To remove the plug 34 from the open ended tube 18, container
(cartomiser) 28 is located so that an end of helically threaded
shaft 42 thereof is proximal helically threaded bore 40 of plug 34
such that a thread at the end of the helically threaded shaft 42
begins to engage the thread at the mouth of the helically thread
bore 40. Relative rotation of the container (cartomiser) 28 with
respect to the dispenser 10 (and thus to the plug 34) causes the
helically threaded shaft 42 to move into the helically thread bore
40. Continued relative rotation causes the container (cartomiser)
28 to be tightened onto the plug 34 and thus securely couple the
container (cartomiser) 28 to the plug 34.
[0073] With the container (cartomiser) 28 securely coupled to the
plug 34 (see FIG. 12a), the plug 34 can be removed from the open
ended tube 18 by exerting a pulling force (see arrow A of FIG. 12b)
on the container (cartomiser) 28, relative to the dispenser 10, to
pull the plug 34 from the open ended tube 18. This exposes the
dispense conduit 26 to allow a container filling operation to take
place.
[0074] The plug 34 is retained by the container (cartomiser) 28,
which may avoid the plug 34 being misplaced when it has been
removed from the dispenser 10.
[0075] An example of a procedure for filling, or refilling a
container (from an initial state in which the dispenser is closed
by both cap 14 and plug 34, to insertion of the container and
"pumping" the container relative to the housing) is illustrated in
FIGS. 13a to 13h and is described below.
[0076] FIG. 13a illustrates the dispenser 10 with both the cap 14
and plug 34 in place to close off the open ended tube 18.
[0077] Removal of cap 14 (see FIG. 13b) is achieved by exerting a
pulling force (see arrow B) on the cap 14, relative to the housing
12, to pull the cap 14 from the housing 12. This exposes open ended
tube 18, which is closed off by plug 34.
[0078] Container (cartomiser) 28 is located so that an end of
helically threaded shaft 42 thereof is proximal helically threaded
bore 40 of plug 34 such that a thread at the end of the helically
threaded shaft 42 begins to engage the thread at the mouth of the
helically thread bore 40. That is, by moving the container
(cartomiser) 28 toward the open end of the dispenser 10 in the
direction indicated by arrow C of FIG. 13c.
[0079] Rotation of the container (cartomiser) 28 relative to the
dispenser 10 (and thus to the plug 34) causes the helically
threaded shaft 42 to move into the helically thread bore 40 (see
arrow D of FIG. 13d). Continued relative rotation causes the
container (cartomiser) 28 to be tightened onto the plug 34 and thus
securely couple the container (cartomiser) 28 to the plug 34.
[0080] With the container (cartomiser) 28 securely coupled to the
plug 34, the plug 34 can be removed from the open ended tube 18 by
exerting a pulling force (see arrow E of FIG. 13e) on the container
(cartomiser) 28, relative to the dispenser 10, to pull the plug 34
from the open ended tube 18.
[0081] Rotation of the container (cartomiser) 28 through
180.degree. (see arrow F of FIG. 130, brings a filling end of the
container (cartomiser) 28 to face the aperture of the open ended
tube 18. In this orientation, container (cartomiser) 28 can be
brought into engagement with the dispenser 10 by moving the filling
end of the container (cartomiser) 28 towards the open ended tube 18
(in the direction indicated by arrow G of FIG. 13g). Continued
movement of the container (cartomiser) 28 relative to the dispenser
10 in the direction indicated by arrow G locates the container
(cartomiser) 28 at a position where a filling process can
begin.
[0082] As described above in relation to FIG. 9, the container
(cartomiser) 28 can be filled with liquid contained in the
reservoir portion of housing of dispenser 10 by exerting a force on
the exposed end of the container (cartomiser) 28 to urge container
(cartomiser) 28 from a rest position into the dispenser 10. This
action causes an end of the container (cartomiser) 28 within the
dispenser to abut the end 30 of the pump arrangement. Continued
depression of the container (cartomiser) 28 relative to the
dispenser 10 against the action of compression spring within the
pump arrangement causes actuation of the pump arrangement until the
pump actuator is in a fully depressed position. Actuation of the
pump arrangement causes liquid to be communicated via the dispense
conduit (not shown), which extends through an aperture of the
container 28 into a reservoir thereof, to deliver liquid to the
reservoir of the container 28.
[0083] Upon release of the depressing force, the compression spring
within the pump arrangement urges the container (cartomiser) 28
from the fully depressed position towards the rest position.
[0084] The container (cartomiser) 28 can be moved through a number
of depression and release cycles (indicated by arrow H in FIG. 13h)
in order to fill the container (cartomiser) 28.
[0085] FIG. 14 illustrates a schematic cross-section side view of a
container according to one or more embodiments of the present
invention. The container is suitable for use with the previously
described dispenser 10. In the illustrated arrangement, the
container comprises cartomiser 28, suitable for use in an
e-cigarette device.
[0086] The cartorniser 28 comprises a mouthpiece end 44 having a
conduit 46 that extends into the body of the cartomiser 28. This
conduit 46 can receive the dispense conduit 26 therein when the
cartomiser 28 is located in the dispenser (during a filling
process). The cartamiser 28 further comprises a reservoir 48 for
holding a liquid and a heating arrangement 50 in fluid
communication with liquid in the reservoir 48.
[0087] During operation of an e-cigarette device comprising the
cartomiser 28, the heating arrangement 50 vaporises liquid stored
in the reservoir 48, and vapour products are dispensed from the
cartomiser 28 via conduit 46 (i.e. via a fluid communication path
(not shown) that lead from the reservoir to the conduit 46).
[0088] The cartomiser 28 further comprises a rupturable,
self-sealing membrane 52 configured to sealably close a liquid
communication path between the conduit 46 and the reservoir 48. The
rupturable, self-sealing membrane 52 does not interfere with the
fluid communication path between the reservoir 48 and the conduit
46, such that vapour products created during use bypass the
rupturable, self-sealing membrane 52 during passage from the
reservoir 48 to the conduit 46 via the fluid communication
path.
[0089] During a filling process of the cartomiser 28 (using the
dispenser 10 described above), the dispense conduit 26 of dispenser
10 pierces material of the rupturable, self-sealing membrane 52 to
provide a fluid passage from the dispenser 10 to the reservoir 48
of the cartomiser 28.
[0090] Optionally, self-sealing material of the membrane 52 may
comprise, for example, silicone. This can be pierced by the
dispense conduit 26, when the cartomiser 28 is introduced into the
dispenser 10, and can self-seal when the cartomiser 28 is removed
from the dispenser 10.
[0091] Although the container according to one or more embodiments
of the present invention is described and illustrated as a
container in which a filling conduit thereof is the same as a
conduit through which contents are released during use, the
container may comprise a separate filling conduct. In such a case,
the rupturable, self-sealing membrane will be configured and
located to seal the tilling conduit.
[0092] There has been described in the foregoing one or more
embodiments of a container that avoids or at least ameliorates the
problems of the prior art. More particularly, there is disclosed
one or more embodiments of a container, which may reduce instances
of leakage therefrom.
[0093] As used herein any reference to "one embodiment" or "an
embodiment" means that a particular element, feature, structure, or
characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is
included in at least one embodiment. The appearances of the phrase
"in one embodiment" or the phrase "in an embodiment" in various
places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to
the same embodiment.
[0094] As used herein, the terms "comprises," "comprising,"
"includes," "including," "has," "having" or any other variation
thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion. For
example, a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a
list of elements is not necessarily limited to only those elements
but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to
such process, method, article, or apparatus. Further, unless
expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or
and not to an exclusive or. For example, a condition A or B is
satisfied by any one of the following: A is true (or present) and B
is false (or not present), A is false (or not present) and B is
true (or present), and both A and B are true (or present).
[0095] In addition, use of the "a" or "an" are employed to describe
elements and components of the invention. This is done merely for
convenience and to give a general sense of the invention. This
description should be read to include one or at least one and the
singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is
meant otherwise.
[0096] In view of the foregoing description it will be evident to a
person skilled in the art that various modifications may be made
within the scope of the invention.
[0097] The scope of the present disclosure includes any novel
feature or combination of features disclosed therein either
explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof irrespective
of whether or not it relates to the claimed invention or mitigate
against any or all of the problems addressed by the present
invention. The applicant hereby gives notice that new claims may be
formulated to such features during prosecution of this application
or of any such further application derived therefrom. In
particular, with reference to the appended claims, features from
dependent claims may be combined with those of the independent
claims and features from respective independent claims may be
combined in any appropriate manner and not merely in specific
combinations enumerated in the claims.
* * * * *